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SUMMER RESEARCH TRAINING IN MEMBRANE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2008 NSF REU SITE PROGRAM at the UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI |
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The Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology, College of Medicine is pleased to offer this research project as part of the 2008 summer NSF-REU Site Program administered by the Department of Pharmacology & Cell Biophysics. Students interested in this project are encouraged to contact Professor Mackenzie to discover more about the project, learn what your responsibilities will be during the ten-week research training program. |
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Project #: 08 - 014
Faculty Supervisor/Mentor: Bryan Mackenzie, PhD, Assistant Professor Molecular & Cellular Physiology College of Medicine
Email: bryan.mackenzie@uc.edu |
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Bio-Membrane Transport of Iron by DMT1: Molecular Impact of DMT1 Mutations
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General background and significance of the project:
Iron deficiency is the most prevalent micronutrient deficiency worldwide and leads to iron-deficiency anemia. Conversely, too much iron in the body results in major organ damage, causing heart disease, liver cirrhosis and cancer, diabetes and joint problems. Iron overload results from a common human hereditary disease called hemochromatosis, and from the blood disorders thalassemia and sickle-cell disease. Regulating intestinal iron absorption is crucial in maintaining appropriate iron levels in the human body, and DMT1 is the bio-membrane transporter responsible for intestinal iron absorption.
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Brief description of proposed research and activities for the 10-week REU period:
Mutations in DMT1 lead to severe anemia. What can we learn about the molecular impact of these mutations? We will inject frog eggs (Xenopus oocytes, large single cells) with RNA in order to express in the oocyte plasma membrane wild-type (normal) or mutated DMT1. We will examine the functional properties of wild-type or mutant DMT1 using radiotracer assays (55Fe transport), measuring transmembrane ion currents, and by applying a novel fluorescence bio-sensor, bio-reporter approach. Our molecular and biophysical analysis of the bio-membrane properties of these large single cells with a mutated iron transporter will help us better understand the molecular mechanisms and structure-function of DMT1, and its physiological role in iron homeostasis.
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What the REU Student can gain from participating in this project:
Broadly, this research project will provide the REU student with an understanding of the molecular processes and cellular implications of transporting metal ions across a living bio-membrane. The REU student will gain experience of working in a modern biomedical research laboratory and use state-of-the-art biotechnology methods and analytic techniques in membrane transport physiology. The student will learn to inject Xenopus oocytes, conduct experiments, and analyze, present and report her/his research findings. Good progress is expected to lead to the student’s inclusion in the authorship of a paper to be published in a leading biomedical journal.
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